HARRY W. NICE, GOVERNOR. 863

be in the form prescribed in this act for petitions to organ-
ize a district. Where the total number of land occupiers in
the area proposed for inclusion shall be less than 25, the pe-
tition may be filed when signed by a majority of the occupiers
of such area, and in such case no referendum need be held.
In referenda upon petitions for such inclusion, all occupiers
of land lying within the proposed additional area shall be
eligible to vote.

I. In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity
or enforcement of, or relating to, any contract, proceeding, or
action of the district, the district shall be deemed to have
been established in accordance with the provisions of this act
upon proof of the issuance of the aforesaid certificate by the
Secretary of State. A copy of such certificate duly certified
in any such suit, action, or proceeding shall be proof of the
filing and contents thereof.

20. ELECTION OF THREE SUPERVISORS FOR EACH DISTRICT.
Within thirty (30) days after the date of issuance by the sec-
retary of State of a certificate of organization of a soil con-
servation district, nominating petitions may be filed with the
State soil conservation committee to nominate candidates
for supervisors of such district. The committee shall have
authority to extend the time within which nominating peti-
tions may be filed. No such nominating petition shall be ac-
cepted by the committee, unless it shall be subscribed by
twenty-five (25) or more occupiers of lands lying within the
boundaries of such district. Land occupiers may sign more
than one such nominating petition to nominate more than one
candidate for supervisor. The committee shall give due notice
of an election to be held for the election of three supervisors
for the district. All occupiers of lands lying within the dis-
trict shall be eligible to vote in such election. Only such land
occupiers shall be eligible to vote. The three candidates who
shall receive the largest number, respectively, of the votes
cast in such election shall be the elected supervisors for such
district. The committee shall pay all the expenses of such
election, shall supervise the conduct thereof, shall prescribe
regulations governing the conduct of such election and the de-
termination of the eligibility of voters therein, and shall pub-
lish the results thereof.

21. APPOINTMENT, QUALIFICATIONS AND TENURE OF SUPER-
VISORS. The governing body of the district shall consist of five
(5) supervisors, elected or appointed as provided hereinabove.
The two supervisors appointed by the committee shall be per-
sons who are by training and experience qualified to perform